FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER No 345
Alzheimer's may begin with unusual vision problems, study finds
A new study shows about 94% of people with a rare vision condition known as posterior cortical atrophy also have Alzheimer’s.
Full details here:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/rare-eye-condition-linked-to-alzheimers
How Leicester is making real-time information accessible for all
Waiting at a bus stop and wondering if your bus is on time, whether it’s the next one coming, or how many minutes away it is can cause many of us to be anxious. For people with sight loss this can cause not only apprehension but can lead to a lack of confidence in using public transport and an increase in loneliness.
To help combat this, in March 2023 the UK Department for Transport (DfT) launched a Tackling Loneliness Fund, to improve transport accessibility for the visually impaired. Full details here:
https://cities-today.com/industry/how-leicester-is-making-real-time-information-accessible-for-all/
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has helped blind people ‘see’ Jeremy Allen White’s Calvin Klein shoot by adding alt text descriptions to his images
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has helped blind people ‘see’ Jeremy Allen White’s Calvin Klein shoot by adding alt text descriptions to his images: Alt text, or alternative text, can be used on most social media platforms. It enables users to describe their pictures so blind or partially-sighted people can hear a description of what is featured in the image.
Full details:
“It is our job to represent the interests of the millions of people whose sight is potentially at risk”
Leaders from three charities talk to Optometry Today about their work on The Eyes Have It partnership, and how the group is pushing for systematic change in eye health.
Reading Friends uncovers the power of inclusive reading at Portsmouth Libraries
Portsmouth Libraries have been hosting Reading Friends sessions in their branches since 2021. In the last year, they helped 1,492 people to connect with each other over 1,588 times in a variety of one to one and group Reading Friends sessions.
In 2023, Portsmouth Libraries were successful in their application to The Reading Agency to receive funding as part of an Ulverscroft Foundation funded project, allowing them to develop their current Reading Friends offer to people living with a vision impairment.